Genetic Structure and Diversity in South Texas Bobwhites: Implications for Conservation

DeYoung, Randall W.; Wehland, Erin M.; Williford, Damon; Zamorano, Angeline; Sands, Joseph P.; Brennan, Leonard A.; Hernández, Fidel; Perez, Robert M.

doi:10.7290/nqsp07dog7

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Low heterozygosity ( = 0.22 ± 0.02), few alleles per locus ( A = 2.41 ± 0.27) and a high proportion of fixed loci (3 out of 9 loci) demonstrate low genetic variability of the Montezuma quail in the southwestern United States. For instance, DeYoung et al (2012) reported an average observed heterozygosity of H o = 0.58 in seven DNA microsatellite loci for bobwhite ( Colinus virginianus ) populations in southern Texas. Orange et al (2014) reported a H o from 0.250–0.928 and an average A = 7 in 23 DNA microsatellite loci for scaled quail ( Callipepla squamata ) populations in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution

Sánchez-Murrieta,

Macías-Duarte,

Castillo-Gámez

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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Restricted movement among populations decreases genetic variation, which may be the case for the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), a small game bird that rarely flies long distances. In the northern limit of its distribution, it inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Understanding genetic structure can provide information about the demographic history of populations that is also important for conservation and management. The objective of this study was to determine patterns of genetic variation in Montezuma quail populations using nine DNA microsatellite loci. We genotyped 119 individuals from four study populations: Arizona, Western New Mexico, Central New Mexico, and West Texas. Compared to other quail, heterozygosity was low (${\bar H_0}$ = 0.22 ± 0.04) and there were fewer alleles per locus (Ā = 2.41 ± 0.27). The global population genetic differentiation index RST = 0.045 suggests little genetic structure, even though a Bayesian allocation analysis suggested three genetic clusters (K = 3). This analysis also suggested admixture between clusters. Nevertheless, an isolation-by-distance analysis indicates a strong correlation (r = 0.937) and moderate evidence (P = 0.032) of non-independence between geographical and genetic distances. Climate change projections indicate an increase in aridity for this region, especially in temperate ecosystems where the species occurs. In this scenario, corridors between the populations may disappear, thus causing their complete isolation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution

Sánchez-Murrieta,

Macías-Duarte,

Castillo-Gámez

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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“…Thus, we created 25‐km‐radius circular buffers to represent landscapes approximately 200,000 ha in size. Although this landscape was based on the genetic neighborhood of bobwhites (DeYoung et al 2012), it also corresponded to buffer distances assumed in previous large‐scale studies on bobwhites (Veech 2006, Riffle et al 2008).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The biological basis for the landscape scale was the genetic neighborhood for bobwhites, which is based on research showing that isolation within microsatellite loci in bobwhites does not occur until approximately 50 km from the source location (DeYoung et al 2012, Williford et al 2016). Thus, we created 25-km-radius circular buffers to represent landscapes approximately 200,000 ha in size.…”

Section: Landscape Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of habitat, weather, and raptors on northern bobwhite abundance at multiple spatial scales

Edwards,

Hernández,

Wester

et al. 2024

J Wildl Manag

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Rangelands in the southwestern United States represent a current stronghold for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus); however, bobwhite populations in rangelands exhibit extreme inter‐annual variability in abundance in relation to fluctuating weather patterns. Recent declining bobwhite population trends within this region have led to the supposition that landscape‐scale processes, such as habitat loss and fragmentation and predation from increased raptor abundance, may be acting in conjunction with weather to reduce bobwhite populations. Our objective was to determine the relative effects of these factors on bobwhite populations in the rangeland environments of Texas and Oklahoma, USA. We obtained publicly available datasets for bobwhite counts (Breeding Bird Survey, state‐agency roadside counts), weather (PRISM), land cover (National Land Cover Database), and raptors (Christmas Bird Counts) for 3 5‐year periods (1990–1994, 1999–2003, 2009–2013). Data were collected at route and landscape scales based on routes within the Rio Grande Plains region of Texas and the Central Mixed Grass Prairie region of Texas and Oklahoma. We used generalized linear mixed models with a backward selection approach to determine top models for each dataset based on scale and ecoregion. Covariate relationships with bobwhite abundance followed expected patterns, with positive relationships with habitat, precipitation, and minimum temperatures and negative relationships with maximum temperatures and raptor abundance. Weather variables were the factors most consistently selected within both regions, while minimum winter temperature was overall the top variable. These relationships occurred within a landscape still containing relatively vast amounts of unfragmented bobwhite habitat (>60% rangeland; >15 million ha). Management within these regions should be focused on retaining habitat at a broad scale, while managing for suitable cover at a local scale to help mitigate weather effects.

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Genetic Structure and Diversity in South Texas Bobwhites: Implications for Conservation

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution

Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution

The effects of habitat, weather, and raptors on northern bobwhite abundance at multiple spatial scales

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